Ed Golden Scholarship winner Jordan Reed sends a thank you

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Dear Rob, Jeffrey, Bill, and Tamara,

I just want to take the time to thank you again for the Ed Golden Scholarship. As a little kid, school was always the most important thing in my life. I was taught from a young age that with an education, more doors in life open. From such a young age, I therefore had a gratitude for knowledge and a love for learning. When I grew older, my life at home wasn’t always easy. Food wasn’t always on the table and bills weren’t always paid. I became scared that college — my lifelong dream up to that point — was never going to become reality. I have been able to have access to higher education because of people like you — those who invest in the future.

When I was in middle school, I found theater. By high school, I knew that theater was what I want to do for the rest of my life. Theater has given me the dedication and will to go through each day. To be praised and validated for following my passion is such a blessing and I appreciate that from the bottom of my heart. My childhood love for learning has never faded because in theater — and with any craft really — there is always more to learn. I want to thank you, the founders of this scholarship, for giving students the opportunity to learn and grow.

In my brown paper studio class (a class about performance and facilitation) at UMass, my professor, Judyie Al-bilali talks a lot about legacy. As performers, we carry the legacy of those who have cared for us, taught us, collaborated with us, fought for us, died for us. By founding this scholarship, you have carried on the legacy of your beloved mentor Ed Golden. You carry on his legacy in your careers. Now, you have passed on that torch to me. I am honored and humbled to carry on your legacy.